The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-08-27
ssA NEW QUESTION"


charges against the Telegraph:
Our neighbor the Telegraph, with
the aid ofseveral anonymous correspon-
dement's, has been endea voring to
make division In the ranks of the De-
mocracy OF this parish, by attempting
to create the impression that the parties
whom it is pleased to designate "The
Ring" are responsible for the particl-
patton in the primaries of such negroes
as have been in the habit of voting the
Democratic ticket and this participa-
ton is gross outrage ON the rights Of
the white Democrats.
Also that the ring having forced the
negro vote on the party, has used It
gardless of the will of the people.
One would infer from reading the
editorials and anonymous communica-
lions appearing of late In the Telegraph
and the West Monroe Union, that the
people of this parish have been merci-
lessly ridden by INSCRIPTIONS men,
who had devised tho plan of allowing
negro participation In the primaries,
In their own interest and enforced 1t
against the will Of q majority of the
white people. These assertions and
differences are untrue.
The Bulletin speaks plainly, and If,
in reply, we speak just q little bit
palmer, the Bulletin must keep TIA
shirt on.
When it says that the Telegraph
sis endeavoring to make a division in
the ranks OF the Democracy of this
parish" it charges that which Ia en-
phatlcally untrue.
The Telegraph has not done, nor Is
1t attempting to do, anything of the
kind.
The Telegraph has charged, and II
here unreservedIy reiterates the
charge, that the affairs of this parish,
political and otherwise, are completely
dominated by few white men by
virtue of their control of the ignorant
negroes of tho parish, thereby com,
pletely drowning the voice of large
majority of the white people In home
affairs. Their voice In the councils of
the party is nullified by that of black
ignorance and vice.
The Telegraph never lias, by state
ment or inference, created or attempted
to create, the impression that "The
Ring" was responsible for the particle
patton of negroes In the primaries.
The party Is responsible for 1t and 1t
was done as a solution OF our troubles,
but it has proven an unmittIgated evil
and it is high time that a fairer and
more just plan was resorted to.
Under Ring rule the participation
of negroes In the primaries is gross
outrage on the rights of the (majority)
OF the white Democrats of OuachJta
and they have suffered from it quite
long enough.
No. The Telegraph ia not attempt
ing to divide tho party. 1t Is fighting
for Il united party. 1t Is asking JUS
tice and fair-play at the hands of the
party organization for the majority of
white Democrats in the parish and the
only way by which the party can be
united is by giving white Democrats
justice and fair-play: 1t cannot be
united as long as few Democrats
arrogate to themselves the right 10
make Democratic nominations in
secret caucus-in other words, dictate
who shall be the party nominees and
by controlling the negro vote OF the
parish throttle the voice of white Demo-
Gratis in primaries and conventions
and cram their candidates down the
threats of the people. That Is what
is dividing the party If is Is to be dlvl
ded. The cry of tho Ring Is, whenever
its usurped power Is Questioned, that
the "kickers" and "office seekers
want to disrupt the party. Let them
alone in their arrogant, dictatorial and
selfish purposes and of course the par
ty Is alright, 1t makes no difference If
the majority of the white Democrats
OF Ouachita are practically disfran-
chised.
But the Bulletin contends that the
majority of white Democrats are with
the Ring. II that Is so just let the
Ring say to its opponents that they are
willing to leave the question Of naming
our officials to the white Democrats of
tho parish. That will cement the